Nothing is known about this artist, except the name A. HASHAGEN and the date MAY 1847, both part of the inscription on the National Gallery's painting Ship "Arkansas" Leaving Havana (1956.13.4). Some Hashagens emigrated to America from the vicinity of Bremen, Germany, in the nineteenth century, but no connection has been made between them and the artist of this painting. The carefully lettered inscription, signature, ships' names on the banners and hulls, and the precisely drawn ships and riggings may indicate that Hashagen, like many other naive artists, was trained as a sign painter. Or, the artist may have been employed as a painter or decorator of ships. [This is an edited version of the artist's biography published, or to be published, in the NGA Systematic Catalogue]